Srimathe Ramanujaya Namaha,
Namaskaram Swami’s,
Adiyen’s understanding with Acharyan ThiruvAdi Bhalam and Velukkudi SriKrishnan Swami’s Anugraham as follows. The above listed Podhu Thaniyan details are correct except two Alwars name omissions and one extra addition.
Podhu Thaniyan
(by Swami Parasara Bhattar has 12 Alwars namam plus Swami Ramanuajr’s namam)
bhootham sarascha mahaadhaahvaya bhatta-naadha
sree bhakthisaara kulasEkhara yOgi-vaahaan,
bhakthaangirirENu parakaala yathindra mishRaan,
sreemath paraankusa munim prana-thOsmi nithyam
“Sree” is for Andal Nachiyaar to be added,
“Munim” is Madhurakavi Alwar, since ‘Muni’ means a Brahman of highest devotion. Madhuurakavi Alwar is a Brahman with highest devotion to HIS Acharya “Parankusar (Swami NammALwar) rather than to BhagavAn”.
That’s why the podhu Taniyan has “Paraankusa Munim” (NAmAlwar and HIS Lotus feet MAdhurakavi Alwar)
YathridramishrAn is Swami Ramanujar (Swami KoortahAzhvAn is not misran in this Thaniyan).
************
The initial question “was ramanujar a alwar?” is not limited to Alwar itself, but goes beyond that.
Swami Ramanujar is considered in all three categories by PoorvAcharyas:
- As an Acharya,
- As an Alwar,
- As Perumal itself
References for 1) As an Acharyan, we all know from many upanyasams as Swami Ramananujar is the only ONE “UDDHARAKA Acharyan” who does Uddharagatvam (lifts BhaaAdhtmas like us to Moksham, Athma Ujjivanam), and all other Acharyas are “Upakaraka” Acharyas, who does Upakaragatvam (help us to surrender on Swami Ramanuajr’s Lotus feet)
References for 2) As an Alwar as posted above by BhagavAtas.
References for 3) As Perumal itself as below.
Bhashyakara Mangalam slokam 19,
ஷெஷோவா ஸைன்ய நாதோவா ஸ்ரீபதிர்வேதி ஸாத்விக்கை:
shEshovA sainyA-nAthova ShriPathir vedhi Sathvikaihi
Means,
Is Swami ramanujAr Aadhi Sheshan Avataram (shEshovA)?, or
Is Swami ramanujAr Nithaysoori VishvaksenAr (Senai Mudhaliyar) Avataram (sainyA-nAthova)?, or
Is Swami ramanujAr Shri’s Husband (ஸ்ரீபதிர் /ShriPathir) Sriman NarayanAn Avataram,
due to the fact that Paartha Sarathy Perumal (SriKrishna) HIMSELF is born to Smt. Kaanthimathi maami & Sri Kesava Somayaji, when they asked for a son just like HIM, then BhagavAn thought in HIS mind that, there is NO ONE EQUAL to ME, and NO ONE ABOVE ME, so if they need someone like ME, then I should ONLY take Avataram directly as Ramanujar.
Who is Swami Ramanujar is the question that is dwelling in everyones mind as per the above slokam?
So, these three references answers any future question if someone asks, “was ramanujar Acharyan or Alwar or Perumal?” then yes, we have answers for all three,
Yes, Swami Ramanujar was an Acharyan,
Yes, Swami Ramanujar was an Alwar,
Yes, Swami Ramanujar is BhagavAn Sriman NarayanAn HIMSELF.
செய்யாமல் செய்த உதவிக்கு, வையகமும் வானகமும் ஆற்றல் அரிது
(Uyya Oraey Vazhi UdayavAr ThiruvAdi)
Nirai Irundhaal, Acharyan ThiruvAdi Bhalatthaal & Velukkudi Swami Aasirvadhatthaal,
Kurai irundhaal, adiyenai kShamikka Prathikkiraen
Adiyen Srinivasa (DhoddayaAcharyar) Dasan.